WAYS OF USING THE RING

Members use the Ring in a variety of ways depending on their circumstances and needs at any one time. The following are just examples, it can be used on one occasion as a "fire brigade" and the next as part of a strategy to fit in with the business plan.

"FIRE BRIGADE"
This is where a service is required "yesterday", generally called for when a vital piece of kit has broken down, everybody is flat out, your neighbours and friends cannot help as they are as busy as you are, and the Ring is the last resort.

"INSURANCE"
This is used by the generally well organised members who do not call on the Rings services often, but like the security that access to a large numbers of potential suppliers gives in the event of the unexpected.

Contractors may also look on the Ring as an insurance to ensure that they do not let regular customers down by being able to call on farmer members to help them through peak periods.

"RELIEF"
Ideal for that extra hand at lambing, to give cover for your milkman or to provide that extra man at peak work periods.

"GOOD NEIGHBOUR"
This puts those historic "help each other out informal arrangements" on a formal footing. No more feeling obliged to help to avoid causing bad feeling, no more sitting down with the back of an envelope at the year end trying to remember who did what and when and for how long. Completing a worksheet at the end of each job and paying/being paid believe it or not increases the amount of work between neighbours.

"COST SAVER"
Used when a member has decided that for a variety of reasons if is more efficient to hire in the services of a specific machine and driver. It could be that the capital cost is not justifiable or insufficient labour is available.

"STUBBLE TO STUBBLE"
An alternative option to whole farm contracting with the Ring in a position to offer a flexible contracting service and be available to resolve problems.

"BEST BUY"
The Ring has arrangements with leading suppliers of services and commodities such as electricity, gas oil, bale wrap, twine, tyres, straw etc.

It is quite possible to save the annual membership costs from these services and many members do so.